Author

Catherine Makino

Catherine Makino is a Tokyo-based freelance journalist, broadcaster and producer. She has worked for numerous international media organizations, including the San Francisco Chronicle, Los Angeles Times, TheJapan Times, EuroBiz, NHK, Inter Press Service, Radio Netherlands Worldwide. She was president of the Foreign Correspondents' Club in Japan from 2008 to 2009.

Catherine Makino's Latest Articles

Japan Criticized for Ignoring Child Sex Abuse, Exploitation

By Catherine Makino ● Arts & Culture ● January 19, 2016

The country has lagged in protecting children from sexual exploitation. Critics say some catch-up laws didn’t go far enough and the culture continues to fetishize minors in such rampant and blatant ways that the intent of recent legal restrictions is being undermined.

Sexist Taunts in Japan Hit a Fertility Nerve

By Catherine Makino ● Crime & Law ● July 8, 2014

The heckling of an unmarried female assemblywoman in Tokyo highlights a work-life imbalance problem that is tied to delayed motherhood.

Milwaukee Rape Ruling Bolsters Victims in Japan

By Catherine Makino ● Uncategorized ● December 12, 2013

News of a ruling in Milwaukee broke in late November in favor of Catherine Fisher’s 12-year legal struggle. “This victory is not only for her, but also for other victims of sexual violence by U.S. military personnel,” said one women’s rights advocate.

Japanese ‘Aunties’ Party Presses for Gender Parity

By Catherine Makino ● Uncategorized ● September 23, 2013

The All-Japan Obachan Party wants to engage more women in politics and shake up the male-dominated power structure. “I’m tired of old-men politics,” its leader wrote on Facebook in 2012, in a post that sparked the group’s formation.

Japan’s Pregnant Women, New Moms Get Mixed Signals

By Catherine Makino ● Health & Science ● April 5, 2011

Pregnant women and mothers of young babies in Japan are getting mixed signals about how far away they should be from the nuclear-power-plant disaster. With the government’s evacuation advice considered lax, volunteers are stepping in.

Japan Gets How-To List in Handling Sex Assault

By Catherine Makino ● Crime & Law ● December 6, 2010

An 11-point list for reforming Japan’s legal response to sex-assault victims emerged from a weekend meeting of international advocates at a research institute in Tokyo. Barring police from questioning a victim’s sexual history was among them.

‘Homebody’ Speech Riles Japanese Women

By Catherine Makino ● Arts & Culture ● October 27, 2010

A Japanese economy minister recently told an international gathering of businesswomen that “Japanese women find pleasure in working at home.” Outraged women’s groups have staged protests and are calling on him to resign.

Japan’s Dancing Grannies Defy the Aging Routine

By Catherine Makino ● Health & Science ● October 15, 2010

A Japanese mayor put eight elderly women on TV three years ago to promote tourism with their song-and-dance routine. Three years later, they are national pop stars who tap a new, more energetic attitude toward aging.

Career Ladder for Japan’s ‘New’ Women Still Tilted

By Catherine Makino ● Employment ● September 10, 2010

Married or single? Working full-time or part-time? Earning high or low? A few decades ago, Japanese women rarely attended university. But more choices and economic pressure have brought new polarities to their expectations.

Japan Prada Case Probes High-Fashion Harassment

By Catherine Makino ● Employment ● July 16, 2010

Prada countersued the plaintiff in a harassment lawsuit July 12, saying she was hurting the high-fashion Italian company’s brand. Rina Bovrisse says the lawsuit gives her another chance to speak up for Japanese women who keep too quiet.